Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Winding Engine House
Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 9 February 1995
- Locality
- Big Pit Mining Museum
- Community
- Blaenavon
- Unitary authority
- Torfaen
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.77219, -3.10475
- Cadw reference
- 15281
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated to the south west of the pit head.
History
An electrical winding engine was installed here in 1952. It was built by the Uskside Engine Company of Newport. An earlier winding engine house and steam powered engine stood to the north. Big Pit was operated in connection with Blaenavon Ironworks, then by the National Coal Board from 1947 to 1980. Underground workings date from the early C19 but the shaft on this site was sunk in 1860. The present surface structures date from between c1900 and the 1970's. This piecemeal development was typical of mines in South Wales and it is now the most complete remaining, having been reopened as a museum in 1983.
Exterior
Single storey, rectangular, pitched-roof brick building, with three bays. It has a small extension to the north-east. South-east elevation has a brick ramp leading to central double doors. Flanking windows have metal glazing bars, brick sills and concrete lintels. North-west elevation has doorway approached by steps with two windows to north. The north-east gable has an external flight of steps. There is one large window with three lights, concrete mullions and cast iron lintel, from the centre of which runs the winding cable. A second cable runs through a small opening above. Below the large window are three square headed openings, also with cast iron lintels and wooden doors set back.
Interior
The walls are partly tiled and the floor has polished stone tiles. The driver's cabin and the winding engine are still in place.
Reason for designation
Included for group value with other listed items at this exceptionally complete colliery site.
Nearby in the register
- Pit Head Building, Headframe and Tram CircuitIndustrialunder 1 mi
- Haulage Engine and Pitman's CabinDomesticunder 1 mi
- U-Shaped Group including Welding and Fitting Shop, Blacksmiths Shop and Tea ShopCommercialunder 1 mi
- Deputies LodgeCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.